Craig Young took three wickets on his Ireland debut as Scotland toiled in their Intercontinental Cup clash.

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Kevin O'Brien also took two wickets and a catch as he started his 200th game for Ireland by helping his side into a commanding position on the first day.

Ireland forced Scotland out for 138 and had eaten 35 runs into the total without loss by stumps in Dublin.

Only a 56-run eighth-wicket partnership from Safyaan Sharif and Moneeb Iqbal prevented Scotland from real humiliation at Clontarf.

Fresh from their World Cricket League double over the Scots, Ireland started strongly following a rain delay when Max Sorensen bowled out Hamish Gardiner for a duck in the third over.

And Sussex bowler Young had Scotland in serious trouble when he took the wickets of Freddie Coleman, Richie Berrington and Preston Mommsen to leave the visitors on 33 for four.

O'Brien then took over, taking the wickets of Calum MacLeod and Craig Wallace, either side of pouching a catch which removed Majid Haq, to leave the Scots 68 for seven.

At this stage Berrington was Scotland's top scorer with a meagre 14 runs but Sharif and Iqbal then frustrated the hosts with nine boundaries between them in a vital stand.

Graeme McCarter, who took three wickets in all, bowled Iqbal out for 25 and Scotland's innings came to an end when Sharif fell for 41.

William Porterfield (23 not out) and Paul Stirling (11 not out) saw Ireland safely through their first six overs to further consolidate the home side's advantage.

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